by dazby » Wed May 19, 2010 12:18 pm
Bresciano rubbishes Middle East Claim
Fired up...Australia midfielder Marco Bresciano. (Action)
Australia midfielder Mark Bresciano denied claims he has signed with Saudi Arabia club Al Nassr, saying he intends to find a new club in Europe.
Bresciano to leave PalermoBresciano on the mendBresciano signs for Al NassrCahill in confident mood
Bresciano was reported to have signed with the Middle East giant last week, but emphatically refuted it as he arrived at Australia's pre-World Cup camp in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Instead the 30-year-old said he would use next month's World Cup as a shop window after his contract at Italian Serie A side Palermo expired, leaving him without a club.
Bresciano was flabbergasted on arriving in Australia to find the Saudi club - coached by his former Palermo boss Walter Zenga - had trumpeted his signing.
Bresciano admitted his management had been in discussions with Al Nassr, but he had not agreed to a deal - and now definitely won't.
"Things have been said which aren't true. I'm still a free agent - hopefully I'll be staying in Europe," Bresciano said.
"I'll be honest with you, I was considering the Saudi approach. It was interesting. But I sat back and realised it wasn't my time yet, I still wanted to play in Europe.
"I'd like to still challenge myself, stay in Europe and play in a tough league. I still feel good, still like to play at a high level.
"The place to be is in Europe to play."
Bresciano, who has not played since late February because of a back injury, said he was over his problems and would be able to train fully with his teammates ahead of the friendly with New Zealand in Melbourne next week.
Socceroos physiotherapist Les Gelis had been deployed to Italy to work with Bresciano, in a move the cultured midfielder credits for restoring him to health.
Now Bresciano has earmarked the match against the All Whites at the MCG as a vital chance for him to prove his fitness to coach Pim Verbeek ahead of the World Cup campaign.
"I'm into full training, so hopefully I'll train fully all week and play Monday night," Bresciano said.
"I feel good and have done a good rehab. Things are going good and it's all gone to plan so far."
"For me it's a massive deal - just to play any game leading up to the World Cup, just to get my match fitness back, my confidence back and my touch back."
Here's our chance City. He's bald and he's back.
Attack the argument of the person, not the person of the argument- except Carl.
